His rationale for building a studio for Megadeth was simple: “When we went into the studio last time it was too expensive, too extravagant, too arrogant and I think it made us a little lazy,” muses Mustaine.Īndy Sneap, metal-producer and mixer par-excellence and a Megadeth cohort from United Abominations, returned to work alongside of Mustaine. To make the record he wanted, Mustaine found himself building a full-blown recording studio in San Marcos, California, just outside of San Diego, dubbed “Vic’s Garage” after Megadeth’s iconic, skull-faced mascot Vic Rattlehead.
But this is where I am most comfortable.”Īt this point, Dave Mustaine has nothing to prove. “I am grateful to have fans who have let me stretch my wings musically. “It was a good lesson about the need to follow your heart,” says Dave of the creative process with Endgame.
Or even Megadeth’s road back to the standing at the top of metal’s top players with World Needs a Hero, The System Has Failed and their Roadrunner debut, United Abominations. Which of course shouldn’t negate the flirting with commercial success on Youthanasia, Cryptic Writings or Risk. No surprise then that Mustaine was awarded the title of “Riff Lord” at 2008’s Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards in the U.K, or that he was crowned “Golden God” at the 2009 Revolver Golden Gods Awards in America. The albums Killing Is My Business…And Business Is Good!, Peace Sells…But Who’s Buying?, So Far…So Good…So What? and Countdown to Extinction remain true metal classics. Over time, with album sales nearing 25 million worldwide, Mustaine has balanced rabid-dog aggression with staggering song-craft. The Megadeth machine is built on a blueprint of stark, complex musicianship. Then again, what else would one expect from someone who culled a sound from The New Wave of British Heavy Metal and created metal’s then new chic, which was state of the art speed metal? This, however, is not surprising for the man who has created and branded “Gigantour,” which for the past three years has united some of metal’s most musically literate players including Dream Theater, Children of Bodom and Opeth. The album’s signature track “Head Crusher” should not merely serve as a wake-up for old fans but also a new generation ready to keep Mustaine & Co.’s brand of shredding guitar and bellicose songsmanship at the forefront of today’s metal scene. Mission accomplished on ENDGAME, which is as extreme as anything Megadeth has ever recorded. “It was much like trying to turn a battleship - no, more like an aircraft carrier- around.” “After the smoke had cleared from personnel and label changes, I knew that regaining respect for me and for Megadeth was going to be a huge undertaking,” says Mustaine of the process re-tooling Megadeth after what is considered the “classic” line-up.
Megadeth are rage on a tight rein, as precise and beautifully destructive as a laser guided missile.
MEGADETH MERCH SHOP FULL
It’s the record where it all comes full circle in a career that has set not only set standards in hard rock and metal, but defined them. ENDGAME is that moment for Dave Mustaine and Megadeth. It’s a rare thing when a musician comes face to face with what made them great to begin with.
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